NATIONAL VIDEO

State media picks Dogs

ATLANTA — Georgia is an overwhelming favorite among the state’s sports media to extend its winning streak over Georgia Tech to seven in a row Saturday.

An Associated Press survey found 12 of 13 newspaper editors, college football writers and broadcasters favoring the sixth-ranked Bulldogs (9-2), who are riding a five-game winning streak and haven’t lost to the Yellow Jackets (7-4) since 2000.

The average score of the predictions is Georgia 26, Georgia Tech 17.

Here are the comments and picks:

John Bednarowski, Marietta Daily Journal

It is a game that should resonate throughout the state, much like our next door neighbor’s Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. Unfortunately, there is no buzz this year on or off the field. Georgia is rolling and with a little help will be playing in the SEC Championship Game next weekend. Tech is playing for a spot in the Pizza Hut Poulan Weedeater Emerald Independence Holiday Humanitarian Bowl.

GEORGIA 31, GEORGIA TECH 14

David Ching, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Tashard Choice will get his yards, but Georgia has a little more balance and a little more to play for Saturday. As long as the Bulldogs don’t kill themselves with turnovers, they should roll.

GEORGIA 30, GEORGIA TECH 20

Tim Guidera, WTOC-TV in Savannah

It seems like a perfect year for an upset in this series, but too many pieces have fallen into place for Georgia over the past few weeks. The Bulldogs won’t let it happen.

GEORGIA 20, GEORGIA TECH 17

Will Hammock, Gwinnett Daily Post

There may not be another team in the country playing better football at this point in the season than the Bulldogs. They overmatch Tech in virtually all areas and they should win handily. If Georgia plays like it did against Florida and Auburn, Tech doesn’t have a shot.

GEORGIA 34, GEORGIA TECH 17

Brent Holloway, The Times, Gainesville

The Bulldogs are playing, arguably, as well as any team in the country right now. (Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon) Tenuta’s schemes might slow them for a half, but the better team is still the one wearing silver britches.

GEORGIA 24, GEORGIA TECH 10

John Kaltefleiter, Athens Banner-Herald

Reggie Ball is gone, but Georgia shouldn’t need help from the former Georgia Tech quarterback. Georgia has better athletes, better coaches and the biggest swell of momentum seen during coach Mark Richt’s tenure.

GEORGIA 21, GEORGIA TECH 13

Josh Kendall, The (Macon) Telegraph

Georgia should be able to hit some long pass plays against Tech’s aggressive defense, which loves to blitz. And the Yellow Jackets have not shown with Taylor Bennett the ability to throw well enough to get Georgia’s run defense to back off.

GEORGIA 37, GEORGIA TECH 15

Paul Newberry, The Associated Press

Georgia has everything going its way: a five-game winning streak this year, a six-year streak over its state rival and legitimate hope of playing in a major bowl. Georgia Tech appears to be playing mainly to save coach Chan Gailey’s job in a disappointing season. Georgia wins on a last-second field goal by Brandon Coutu.

GEORGIA 20, GEORGIA TECH 17

Charles Odum, The Associated Press

What’s more rare in recent memory, a Georgia Tech football win over Georgia, or rain? The Yellow Jackets have some strengths — Tashard Choice, the nation’s best pass rush, perhaps the nation’s best duo at punter and kicker — that should make this another close game.

Sure, it’s been dry, but there’s rain in the weekend forecast. Maybe there will be a drought-breaker at Grant Field.

GEORGIA TECH 24, GEORGIA 21

Jim O’Hara, Rome News-Tribune

Forget about any notion that anything can happen in this old-fashioned hate rivalry. Georgia has the firepower, the emotion and the reason why to ensure that it will win for the seventh straight time.

GEORGIA 34, GEORGIA TECH 17

Mark Schlabach, espn.com.

Georgia has the psychological edge in this series. Make it seven in a row for the Bulldogs.

GEORGIA 24, GEORGIA TECH 20

Ed Shearer, The Associated Press, a.k.a "The SEC Seer."

This will be the first of two straight trips to Atlanta for the Bulldogs, who will meet LSU for the Southeastern Conference title next week at the Georgia Dome.

GEORGIA 24, GEORGIA TECH 10

Adam Van Brimmer, Savannah Morning News

Much like the Braves when they used to make the playoffs every year, only to lose in the division series, it’s hard to envision Georgia Tech beating the Bulldogs until they actually do it.